Why the Pirates will win: They are hot, having won five of their last six regular-season games and then beating the Cincinnati Reds 6-2 on Tuesday in the wild-card game, their first playoff game since 1992. The Pirates won 10 of 19 vs. the Cardinals before finishing three games behind them in the NL Central. Pittsburgh native Neil Walker seems determined to bring a title to his hometown, as he hit six home runs in his last nine regular-season games.

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Why the Cardinals will win: They won their last six regular-season games to finish with a 97-65 record, tying them with the Boston Red Sox for the best in the majors. The Cardinals have a major edge in playoff experience, having reached for the third year in a row and the 10th time in 14 seasons. First baseman Matt Adams, a Pirates fan while growing up in Philipsburg, Pa., has filled in admirably for Allen Craig (foot), hitting .352 with six homers in his last 19 regular-season games.

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Watch out for this guy: Russell Martin. The Pirates catcher hit six homers vs. the Cardinals in 50 regular-season at-bats and two vs. the Reds in the wild-card game.

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Little-known fact: Adams and PNC Park maintenance coordinator Amy Wilson went to college together at Slippery Rock, 50 miles north of Pittsburgh. Being a good friend, Wilson often did Adams' laundry when they were classmates.

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In the end: The Cardinals have more talent, but the Pirates played them tough for 16 games. However, in the teams' last meeting Sept. 6-8 at St. Louis the Cardinals swept them by a combined score of 26-10. This series will be tightly contested before the Cardinals win in five games.